Six-cessful MSL formula for Schaumburg
Stifling defense plus selfless offense equaled six-cess for Schaumburg.
It was also the perfect equation for two decisive runs which put the Saxons on their way to their sixth Mid-Suburban League boys basketball title with a 69-51 victory over visiting Rolling Meadows on Wednesday night.
"We haven't won it in awhile so it feels good to bring it back to Schaumburg," junior Jimmy Lundquist said after scoring 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting to go with 9 rebounds and 4 assists in the program's first MSL crown since 2003.
"It's a great way to finish the regular season," said senior and MSL West player of the year Christian Spandiary after scoring half of his 28 points in the final 6:47.
This year the Saxons (21-5) are rolling into the postseason with 12 wins in their last 13 games. They parlayed 18 turnovers by Meadows (16-10) into 24 points and had a commanding 44-19 lead with 2:47 left in the third quarter.
And they did it with the sticky man-to-man defense that has been a staple for a program with 19 consecutive winning seasons. Meadows shot only 30.3 percent from the field through three quarters (10-for-33).
"We were impatient and they do a great job defensively," said Meadows senior guard and MSL East player of the year Brian Nelms, who had 15 points and 6 assists.
"Anyone we go up against we put our hardest defense on them," said Schaumburg senior guard Joey Faleni after chasing Nelms most of the night. "We pride ourselves on that.
"He's a really good player and he distributes the ball well. We tried to keep him out of the middle and that's what we do to everyone. We guarded him well and it was a team effort it wasn't just one person."
Meadows led 10-9 after a quarter when Nelms found Mike Dolan (9 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) for a layup. But a late flurry of 4 turnovers was just a prelude of what was ahead.
Meadows committed 6 turnovers as Cole Reyes, starting for injured all-MSL point guard Kyle Bolger (shoulder), Faleni, Spandiary and Lundquist combined on an 11-point run.
"We weren't working the ball around and we weren't trusting our system," Nelms said. "We were trying to make plays and we threw it everywhere. They really take you out of your game and make you adjust."
The Mustangs had 8 turnovers in a 3-point second quarter. Nelms had their only field goal in 6 shots as they trailed 25-13 at the break.
"It definitely shows they've played in some big games the last couple of years and we're still trying to figure that out," said Meadows coach Kevin Katovich after his team's first title-game appearance in 14 years. "They definitely deserve to be MSL champs."
Which was effectively decided after Meadows got within 27-19 on Nelms' jumper. Schaumburg ripped off 17-0 run in just 2:59 which started with Lundquist's lane drive and ended with his third 3-pointer of the game.
"We have good chemistry together and Jimmy had a great game," Spandiary said.
"We worked the ball around unselfishly and got each other involved," Lundquist said after the Saxons shot 48 percent (25-for-52) and committed just 9 turnovers.
Michael Mallett, Justin Hill, Bobby Green, Carlos Sarasti and Kevin Curnow also played big roles for Schaumburg.
"I'm so proud and so happy for our guys," said Saxons coach Matt Walsh. "They're such an unselfish, hardworking group that deserves this."